NBL donates breathalysers to traffic officers
Local brewery giant, Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) this week reaffirmed its commitment to road safety through a sponsorship of N$200,000 which includes soft drinks and water; equipments such as breathalysers and reflector jackets for officers that will be controlling road blocks during the festive season.
“Road crashes are a global crisis, and Namibia’s situation is a serious concern. Most of these crashes are caused by human error – negligence, destructive driving, speeding, overloading, red light ignorance, teenage drivers, driving under the influence of alcohol & drugs, vehicles not being road-worthy, etc. This sponsorship from NBL comes at the right time and will equip traffic officers to curb alcohol related matters, and will also increase the presence of NAMPOL, with the reflector jackets,” Deputy Commissioner, Amalia Gawanas, Head of the Traffic Law Enforcement Division said while accepting the donation.
Managing Director of NBL, Wessie van der Westhuizen expressed dismay at the current statistics of road fatalities on Namibian roads, especially during the festive season.
“This past weekend has seen at least 20 people die on our national roads! This is completely unacceptable. It cannot continue like this. It is senseless, very costly to the country, not to mention the unfortunate and unnecessary pain it causes. If this is the start to our festive season, I do not even want to know what the rest of the next four weeks will look like,” van der Westhuizen said.
Furthermore, the Senior Manager of Accident and Injury Prevention at the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, Sydney Boois said that this year’s campaign will focus on education and information with respect to driver and vehicle fitness.
“Officers are standing ready to make sure there are serious consequences in place for those that are caught breaking the law and making our roads a danger zone for the rest of us. It is time for us to become responsible citizens, and responsible road users, and to start being cognizant of the other lives that also travel on our roads – noting that you are not the only one, but that your negligence and irresponsible behaviour causes for danger in the lives of others,” Boois said.
